At first, a doctor may treat sepsis with broad-spectrum antibiotics, which are effective against many different bacteria. Once the physician is able to determine which specific bacteria are causing the infection, they may use more specific antibiotics that target the cause of the infection.
It also may progress into septicemia, a more serious blood infection that is always accompanied by symptoms such as chills, high fever, rapid heartbeat, severe nausea, vomiting and confusion.
While it takes a long time for a tooth infection to become fatal, it's possible for a tooth infection to develop into sepsis if left untreated. Typically, this process takes a few months.
A persistently high fever, dizziness, lightheadedness, a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, confusion, and digestive problems are potential signs of sepsis and should be treated as a medical emergency.
If you have any of the following symptoms, you may have sepsis, and you need to go to the emergency room or call 911 right away: Severe pain. A high fever. Shivering or feeling cold.
If your tooth infection is more serious, your dentist may prescribe a combination of amoxicillin and another drug called Clavulanate.
Tooth infections that have traveled to the jawbone can lead to severe dental abscesses and jawbone infections. Osteomyelitis in the jaw causes persistent pain, jaw stiffness, swelling, and tenderness. Additionally, bacterial infections of the teeth can also spread to the bloodstream and cause sepsis.
Antibiotics work relatively quickly to resolve tooth infections and control symptoms. If you follow your healthcare provider's instructions, the effects of antibiotics should take effect within a few days.
Sepsis following a bacterial infection from a dental condition or treatment is rare. However, it can be a life-threatening condition if patients are not managed appropriately.
Symptoms of a Tooth Infection Spreading to the Body
Feeling generally sick. Extreme sensitivity to cold or hot food and drink. Severe toothache from the tooth outward. Swelling in the gums, neck, cheeks, or tongue.
Penicillin-type antibiotics are also used to treat blood infections (sepsis), meningitis, endocarditis, and other serious infections. Brand names of amoxicillin include Moxatag and Amoxil.
Sepsis can be divided into three stages: sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock.
The key to successful treatment for sepsis is timely recognition and prompt use of antibiotics and IV fluids. "The chance of death goes up with every hour of delay," says Dr. Guy.
This is called osteomyelitis and is signified with pain in the jaw and face, facial swelling, and fever. Antibiotics can be used to resolve the infection but if you do not receive treatment in a timely manner, part of the jaw bone can actually begin to die.
If the infection spreads, you may also develop a high temperature (fever) and feel generally unwell. In severe cases, you may find it hard to fully open your mouth and have difficulty swallowing or breathing.
You may experience an increase in pain at first but most people start feeling better within seven days after starting antibiotics for a tooth infection. 5 A dentist will typically reassess your pain after three days and discontinue antibiotic treatment 24 hours after your symptoms are fully resolved.
There are several reasons antibiotics alone will not cure the infection. The blood vessels that once supplied the inside of the tooth with your body's antibacterial defenses have been destroyed. Therefore, the antibiotics cannot reach the inside of the tooth to cure your infection.
#1 Abscess Tooth:
For most people and abscess tooth comes with a considerable amount of pain. But, we see cases where people have likely had an abscess for months and had no idea about the potential severity of the infection.
This can cause vital organs to shut down. This usually starts with the kidneys. Blood pressure can drop dangerously low. This can cause less oxygen and nutrients to reach your kidneys.
As sepsis worsens or septic shock develops, an early sign, particularly in older people or the very young, may be confusion or decreased alertness. Blood pressure decreases, yet the skin is paradoxically warm. Later, extremities become cool and pale, with peripheral cyanosis and mottling.